For asylum seekers, a tough transition
Czech agency helps refugees deal with the stress of change
By Eva Hlouková
Helping asylum seekers cope with the stress of their new environment is an important function of the Czech Republic's Counselling Centre for Refugees.
Established in 2003 as successor to a similar center created by the Czech Helsinki Committee, the Prague-based NGO provides legal, psychological and social assistance to refugees as well as general information to foreigners on subjects such as how to get temporary residence permits.
As asylum seekers sometimes must wait years before the Czech Ministry of the Interior can reach a decision on their application, the mental stress is considerable, especially for individuals and families who often have been forced to flee their home countries because of military conflict, political repression or economic hardship.
Reacting to this concern, the NGO offers various forms of psychological assistance, including individual counseling, group therapy and art therapy. In an unfamiliar cultural environment, refugees often lose a sense of their value and importance. Some behave too aggressively, while others become lethargic, not wanting to do anything. The center's art therapy offers a way for asylum seekers to do something meaningful with their free time, a way to lower stress and aggression and to gain new skills. The most successful such project is a recycled paper workshop in the humanitarian center at Bela-Jezova, where refugees produce decorative objects.
Group therapy makes use of the support that asylum seekers can offer one another. Every week women's and men's groups discuss their problems under the guidance of psychologist. Both men and women have their specific problems. "It is sad to see men despairing because they aren't able to provide for their families," says Vera Roubalova, a social worker. She added that female refugees often have to accept the role of the head of a family, a position that previously belonged to the man.
Not only has the woman's role in the family changed, but she also has to deal with pressures brought about by the new cultural environment. Moreover, a significant number of women, having fled military conflicts, are victims of sexual abuse. Such individuals are highly vulnerable and often suffer personality changes characterized by a loss of self-confidence, problems with concentration and fear.
In the female group therapy sessions, the absence of men allows women to talk freely and be themselves. The sessions are designed to allow women to relax, share their experiences and support each other. They talk about their countries of origin, compare the cultures they come from, or simply get to know each other. Every group session usually has it own theme, such as family relationships, intimacy, weddings, feasts and funerals.
Refugees flee their home countries for various reasons. Many are forced to leave by military conflict, which alone is not legally a sufficient reason for granting asylum. Some flee what they see as unbearable economic situations. General conditions for granting asylum as stated by Czech law include persecution for the exercise of one's political rights and freedoms, and persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. Also a well-founded fear of persecution can be a reason for granting asylum.
The decision to grant asylum is made by the Ministry of Interior - Department of Asylum and Migration Policy. According to the law, the decision should be issued within 90 days from the initiation of the asylum procedure. However, this period may be extended if it is too short for the decision to be made.
--The author, a student at Anglo-American University in Prague, is interning at the Counselling Centre for Refugees this semester.
The Counselling Center for Refugees is situated at Senovazna 2, Praha 1. Phone: 224 224 379. URL: www.ppu.ecn.cz
--This article also appeared in the Nov. 12-19 edition of The Prague Post.
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Last issue date: Dec. 12, 2003
